Date: 2014-06-18
Type of information: Licensing agreement
Compound: VX-787
Company: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a J&J company (USA - NJ) - Vertex Pharmaceuticals (USA - MA)
Therapeutic area: Infectious diseases
Type agreement: development licensing manufacturing production commercialisation
Action mechanism: VX-787 is a first-in-class, influenza A-specific, oral polymerase inhibitor. It is the first and most advanced example of a novel mode of action (MOA) direct acting antiviral working through the influenza virus PB2 polymerase subunit. Targeting an alternative part of the viral replication process may help ensure that this new medicine can successfully treat strains of the influenza virus which may be resistant to existing antiviral drugs with other MOAs. VX-787 has demonstrated potent and rapid in-vitro antiviral activity on all Vertex tested influenza A strains to date, including oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) resistant strains. Initial clinical assessments of VX-787 have also been promising.
Disease: influenza
Details: * On June 18, 2014, Janssen Pharmaceuticals announced that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals for the worldwide development, manufacturing and commercialization of VX-787, a novel medicine in Phase II development for the treatment of influenza. Vertex completed a Phase 2a study of VX-787 in 2013 that showed statistically significant improvements in viral and clinical measurements of influenza infection. Under the terms of the collaboration, Janssen will have full global development and commercialization rights to VX-787. The collaboration, and the related $30 million up-front payment, is subject to the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. The license agreement also grants Janssen rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize VX-787’s back-up compound, VX-353, as well as rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize certain other back-up compounds for the prevention and/or treatment of influenza. The agreement is subject to the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
Financial terms: As part of the agreement, Vertex will receive an up-front payment of $30 million from Janssen and has the potential to receive additional development and commercial milestone payments as well as royalties on future product sales.
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